Persona

Synopsis

A young nurse, Alma, is put in charge of Elisabeth Vogler: an actress who is seemingly healthy in all respects, but will not talk. As they spend time together, Alma speaks to Elisabeth constantly, never receiving any answer. Alma eventually confesses her secrets to a seemingly sympathetic Elisabeth and finds that her own personality is being submerged into Elisabeth's persona.

Ever heard of a film knocking the wind out of you in the first five minutes? If not watch Ingmar Bergman’s Persona. The opening sequence of this film is surely one of the most unsettling, incredibly haunting things I have ever seen on screen. The music, the images and the lighting are so discomposing to the viewer that within an unbelievably small period of time into the film, Bergman catches us by the throat and makes us experience an almost unbearably intense psychoanalysis of a woman’s mind or is it two women’s minds, I can never be able to tell.

After the opening sequence we are shown a boy getting up from his bed in what seemed to me like…

Hyperboles do not matter when discussing Persona because the film is all but stated in fact that it is not only Bergman's masterpiece but holding the incredible feat of being considered one of if not the best film ever made.

There are many factors that go into Persona carrying this title perhaps even too many to explain or be able to fit in this review but needless to say it has every element that a perfect film should have. From the famous opening sequence that is an editor's paradise (in fact often cited as an example of the best edits in film history) to Nykvist's iconic shots and frames with light and texture; the way he molds the two actresses…

I'm not gonna properly review this until I rewatch it. Initial reaction is that it was an amazing film. It seems like the female perspective of Villeneuve's Enemy, but I will have to rewatch to really come to a proper take on it.

losing your own self and wandering around in personas. the only way to be real you is to not say anything and when someone catches even a glimpse of your self and start to strip down your layers they would go insane. if someone lesser tries to create a persona of your self subconsciously it is also extremely draining and taxing because of the complexity of one's self.

a masterpiece in every level. gorgeous long shots and overall cinematography, perfect pacing, and magnificent acting.